By Tosha Herron Bruff, Senior Vice President, Opportunity & Impact
Estimated reading time: 2 minutes
The DRC’s Southern Dallas County Task Force has been hard at work during the first half of 2026, engaging regional business leaders in projects promoting Southern Dallas County as a destination for job creation and innovation.
For our latest meeting, we gathered at UNT Dallas’ 4315 Innovation Center to explore projects and solutions for one of the largest barriers facing Southern Dallas County workers: transportation.
Our meeting featured a panel of infrastructure and transportation leaders currently pioneering change in Southern Dallas County, all of whom agreed that improving our region’s quality of life and workforce participation requires effective transportation investments—and engagement from the business community can take these investments to the next level.
Robust transportation systems strengthen regional competitiveness
Transportation is key to improving our region’s quality of life and maintaining our economic momentum, so we cannot afford to leave any of our communities behind. And expanding opportunity in our region not only benefits individuals—but it strengthens our businesses and bolsters our regional competitiveness.
When companies consider relocations or expansions, one of the critical determinants of their decisions—a factor that often tips the scale in our region’s favor—is transportation. Southern Dallas County’s central location serves as a key access point for businesses looking to establish or further their national outreach and tap into the Texas Triangle.
Accessible and affordable transportation maximizes the regional talent pipeline
Our work alongside our member companies, regional partners and allies to drive investment in Southern Dallas County has produced region-changing results, but rapid development requires investments in accessible transportation infrastructure. Local leaders, like Curtis Lee Corbins, President and Founder of C. Lee Transportation, emerged in response to community mobility needs, serving as critical gap-fillers to meet transportation demands.
During our task force meeting, Corbins highlighted the two major challenges facing the residents he connects to transit hubs and employment opportunities every day: affordability and access to reliable public transportation.
Southern Dallas County has a vast, dynamic talent pool for business to tap into. The region covers 486 square miles, with 12 cities, over 1 million residents and five colleges and universities. Its low business costs, large supply of available land and abundance of untapped talent make it a prime location for businesses to scale, but fulfilling Southern Dallas County’s potential and maximizing its resources requires effective transportation for commuters.
Aligning jobs closer to residential areas and investing in transportation opportunities strengthens workforce participation and maximizes the region’s vibrant talent pipeline and educational corridor—all of which enable businesses and communities to grow.
Effective transportation investments start with community engagement
During our meeting, Meredith Cebelak, North Texas State Transportation Leader at Gresham Smith, encouraged businesses to listen before they lead. Effective transportation investments take many forms, from major transportation projects to partnerships with local transportation services, but they must prioritize connectivity, accessibility, safety and reliability. Investments that meet these needs require considerable time and capital, so it’s critical to understand community needs before proposing solutions.
Also at our task force meeting, Cecilia Reyes, Public Affairs/Engineer at JBJ Management, emphasized that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to community outreach initiatives and encouraged businesses to explore various options. Engaging with residents in accessible, trusted community spaces is an excellent place to start, whether that’s at churches, schools, recreation centers, apartment complexes or neighborhood associations. Engagement can be face-to-face, virtual or over the phone through in-person meetings, online or written surveys, flyers, QR-enabled websites and designated contacts for follow-up communication.
Southern Dallas County is a key part of the Dallas Region, not just for our economic competitiveness—but for our regional identity. Southern Dallas County has a rich history of community collaboration and resilience, as epitomized by the speakers at our latest task force meeting and their initiatives to fill opportunity gaps in their communities. Existing transportation challenges can be faced and resolved with that same collaborative spirit.
If your business is looking to unlock and maximize opportunities for growth in Southern Dallas County, visit our Southern Dallas County Economic Development Guide and join our Southern Dallas County Task Force. For questions or comments, contact the DRC’s Opportunity & Impact team.